Ottawa Fury FC defender Drew Beckie today announced the start of a community outreach program called Walking IN Grief`s Shadow, or WINGS. The program that was born out of the ‘Everything Will Be Ok’ movement which focuses on children who have lost a parent.

Beckie, who lost his father at age eleven to cancer, founded this program to provide these youth with an outlet to work through their grief with someone who has shared a similar loss.

“My goal is to bring children and youth dealing with the loss of a parent to a place of safety and security where they can interact with others their age, regaining joy and happiness in their lives,” said Beckie.

“I want them to feel free to speak about their feelings and get out the pain that is buried deep inside.”

The WINGS Program provides kids with tickets to attend an Ottawa Fury FC game, a post-game tour of the dressing room, meeting with Drew and the opportunity to meet other members of Ottawa Fury FC.

The Fury FC defender credits a program called ‘Kid’s Alive’ in helping him through his father’s cancer and eventual death and wants to offer a forum for kids in this community through the WINGS Program.

“The ‘Kid’s Alive’ program was a tremendous help for me and my sisters and I want to help kids in any way I can to know that they are not alone in this process and that in the end everything will be OK.”

One group of children have already benefitted from this program and share a similar story with Drew.

“This is a fantastic initiative that Drew is providing for kids in our community,” said Richard Valente, owner of Fratelli. “My niece and nephews were the first to benefit from this program. After losing their father, my brother Roberto, to cancer earlier this year it was great to have another outlet for them.”

“Drew was amazing with the kids and I’m certain many will benefit from this program.”

This program aligns with the club’s commitment to the community that has seen Fury FC players and staff dedicate over 225 hours to community programming to date in 2015 which includes minor sports events, Goals! School Program, Soccer in Schools Program and various community events.

Fury FC close out the NASL Spring Season with games in Jacksonville (June 7) and in San Antonio (June 13). The team returns to TD Place on July 5 to kick-off the NASL Fall Season when they host the expansion Jacksonville Armada FC and 3:00pm. Tickets are available at OttawaFuryFC.com.